Average PM2.5 Level For Monsoon, Pre-Winter Season Lowest In 4 Yrs

CSE Analysis Cites Similar 2019-20 Trend, Warns Of Spike In Coming Months

- Priyangi.Agarwal

New Delhi: An analysis done by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says the average PM2.5 concentration of monsoon and pre-winter season (July 1 to October 15) was lowest in 2021 compared with the last four years.

However, a delayed start of winter with multiple spurts of rain, as seen in 2019-20, is similar to the conditions prevailing this year. It can be expected that smog might have higher peak pollution this year if special steps are not taken to reduce the pollution from the sources.

As Delhi recorded excess rainfall, it resulted in the cleanest monsoon in the last four years. The city-wide average for the monsoon and prewinter season this year stood at 41 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3), with 96 days meeting the 24-hour standard for PM2.5. There was a progressive increase in the number of cleaner days with an average 6% annual improvement since 2018, said CSE.

Though winter began on October 15 at a cleaner level, CSE’s analysis stated that 2021-22 might have higher peak pollution. “On average, the 2020-21 winter season was 5% worse among the major NCR cities and Delhi compared with last year, but the peak pollution on average was 13% lower,” it added.